POLK COUNTY, FLORIDA — A massive undercover investigation in Central Florida led to 281 arrests, including people who worked at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
The seven-day operation targeted suspected child sexual predators, prostitution-related offenses, and human trafficking.
Arrestees included theme park employees, a former Disney character performer, a youth football coach, a law enforcement officer, and an active-duty Navy service member.
Authorities also identified 11 people who may have been victims of human trafficking and connected them with support services.
The investigation, called “Polk Around & Find Out II,” was announced by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Friday, October 30, 2026.
Officials described it as the largest undercover operation in the Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s history.
But what exactly happened during those seven days? How did investigators identify the suspects? And why were Disney and Universal employees among those arrested?
Here’s a detailed look at what authorities have revealed.
What Was Operation Polk Around & Find Out II?
Operation Polk Around & Find Out II was a coordinated law enforcement investigation designed to identify people suspected of attempting sexual offenses against children, purchasing or selling sexual services, and engaging in human trafficking.
The operation involved multiple agencies working together across Central Florida.
Investigators conducted two undercover efforts at the same time.
The first focused on adults who allegedly used online communications to arrange sexual encounters with people they believed were minors.
The second targeted prostitution-related activity and sought to identify people who might be experiencing trafficking or exploitation.
By the time the investigation concluded, authorities had arrested 281 people and announced 488 new criminal charges.
The operation’s name refers to an earlier Polk County undercover initiative. This was the second investigation using the “Polk Around & Find Out” name.
The Numbers Behind the Seven-Day Sting
The scale of the operation was significant.
According to information released by law enforcement, the investigation produced the following results:
| Category | Reported total |
|---|---|
| People arrested | 281 |
| New criminal charges | 488 |
| Felony charges | 198 |
| Misdemeanor charges | 290 |
| Arrests related to suspected child sexual predators | 31 |
| Prostitution-related arrests | 239 |
| Other arrests | 11 |
| Theme park workers among those arrested | 17 |
| Possible human trafficking victims identified | 11 |
| Firearms brought by suspects | 24 |
| People charged with drug possession | 32 |
The 31 child-predator arrests, 239 prostitution-related arrests, and 11 other arrests add up to the reported total of 281.
Some official summaries used a slightly different grouping, listing 32 arrests in the child-predator-focused sting and 249 in the parallel trafficking-focused sting.
Those are different ways of describing the operation’s components, not additional arrests.
Authorities said the suspects collectively had 798 prior criminal charges, including 358 previous felonies.
A prior charge is not necessarily a conviction, and the new allegations must be established through the courts.
How Did Investigators Carry Out the Operation?
The seven-day investigation relied heavily on undercover officers and online communications.
Part One: Detectives Posed as Minors or Their Guardians
In the child-predator investigation, detectives communicated with adults online while posing as children or adults responsible for children.
Investigators said some suspects continued communicating after being told that the person they wanted to meet was underage.
Undercover officers then arranged meeting locations.
When suspects allegedly traveled to those locations to pursue illegal sexual activity, law enforcement officers arrested them.
This approach is designed to identify people suspected of taking concrete steps toward committing offenses involving children.
Authorities reported 31 arrests classified as child-predator cases.
The Florida Attorney General’s Office separately described 32 arrests in the traveler-focused portion of the investigation.
Part Two: Investigators Targeted Prostitution-Related Activity
At the same time, another team conducted an undercover investigation involving online prostitution advertisements and arranged meetings.
Officers communicated with people suspected of seeking paid sexual services, as well as people allegedly offering them.
The operation resulted in 117 arrests of suspected sex buyers and 122 arrests involving people accused of prostitution.
Investigators also examined whether individuals encountered during the operation were being coerced, controlled, or exploited by others.
This distinction matters because people involved in commercial sex are not necessarily trafficking victims, and trafficking can occur without prostitution.
Part Three: Investigators Screened for Human Trafficking
Law enforcement worked with victim-support organizations to evaluate people who might have been exploited.
Authorities reported identifying 11 possible human trafficking victims.
Those individuals were offered assistance through partner organizations.
The victim-support component was an important part of the operation because people experiencing trafficking may need medical care, safe housing, counseling, legal assistance, or other services.
Why Were Disney World and Universal Orlando Employees Arrested?
One of the most widely discussed details was the connection to Central Florida’s theme park industry.
Sheriff Grady Judd said 17 people arrested during the operation were associated with major Orlando-area theme parks.
Of those:
- 13 were identified as Disney workers.
- Four were identified as Universal workers.
Authorities said seven people linked to theme parks were among the suspects in the child-predator investigation.
The others were arrested in connection with different alleged offenses.
It is important to understand that the arrests did not all involve the same conduct.
Nor does working at a theme park establish that a suspect committed a crime against a park guest.
The investigation was conducted in Polk County, not as a sweep through Disney or Universal attractions.
Disney Employees Were Reportedly Fired
Following the arrests, Sheriff Judd said Disney had cooperated with investigators and terminated employees arrested in the operation.
FOX 13 also reported that Universal Orlando terminated workers involved in the arrests.
The companies’ employment actions are separate from the criminal cases.
Being fired after an arrest does not establish criminal guilt.
The allegations against each person will need to be resolved through the legal process.
Former Mickey Mouse Performer Among Those Arrested
One of the cases attracting national attention involves Collin Klaco, 24, of Clermont, Florida.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Klaco told investigators he had previously worked as a Mickey Mouse character performer at Walt Disney World.
Authorities alleged that he communicated with an undercover detective posing as the guardian of a 13-year-old boy.
Investigators said Klaco discussed illegal sexual activity involving the child and traveled to a meeting location arranged during the investigation.
Deputies reported finding backpacks containing diapers when he arrived.
Klaco was arrested and accused of offenses including traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual activity, using a computer to solicit a guardian, and attempted lewd or lascivious battery.
These are allegations presented by investigators. They are not findings of guilt.
Officials said Klaco described himself as a former Disney employee rather than a current cast member at the time of his arrest.
Disney’s Toy Story Land Employee Also Arrested
Another case involved Adam Snyder, 24, of ChampionsGate, Florida.
Investigators said Snyder identified himself as an employee working in the Toy Story Land area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
According to law enforcement, he allegedly traveled to meet someone he believed was an underage boy after communicating with an undercover detective.
Authorities reported finding part of a Disney work uniform and an employee identification card in his vehicle.
The detail drew attention because it linked a suspect in the investigation to one of Walt Disney World’s best-known family attractions.
However, investigators did not announce that the alleged offense occurred inside Toy Story Land.
The criminal allegations concern Snyder’s reported online communications and actions during the undercover investigation.
Youth Football Coach Accused of Attempting to Meet a Minor
Authorities also highlighted the arrest of Rashawn Crayton, 31, identified as a coach associated with the Davenport Titans youth football program.
The team serves children in approximately the 11-to-14 age range.
According to investigators, Crayton communicated with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl.
Detectives alleged that he discussed meeting the child for sexual activity and then traveled to the arranged location.
He was arrested when he arrived.
The case drew particular concern because of his reported position working with young athletes.
Authorities have not established that children associated with the football program were victims in this case.
The allegations stem from the undercover communications and arranged meeting.
Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested
The investigation also resulted in the arrest of an Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputy.
Eric Raymond, who had worked in law enforcement since 2020, was accused of soliciting prostitution.
According to investigators, Raymond responded to an undercover advertisement, arranged a meeting, and allegedly agreed to pay for sexual services.
He was arrested and charged with soliciting prostitution.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office subsequently removed him from regular law enforcement duties and assigned him to administrative work pending the outcome of the case.
The arrest attracted attention because Raymond was a law enforcement officer responsible for upholding the law.
His criminal case remains subject to the same presumption of innocence as other defendants.
Active-Duty Navy Member Among Suspects
Authorities also identified Dang Thai, 24, an active-duty Navy service member from Jacksonville, among those arrested in the child-predator investigation.
Investigators alleged that he communicated with an undercover officer posing as a minor and misrepresented his age during the exchange.
The sheriff discussed the case during the October 30 news conference.
Any criminal penalties, employment consequences, or military disciplinary proceedings would be separate matters determined by the appropriate authorities.
Two Suspects Faced Human Trafficking Allegations
In addition to the broader prostitution-related investigation, authorities identified two defendants accused of conduct involving attempts to exchange something of value for sexual access to a child.
Investigators named Derrick Opitz, 27, and Odlanier Marrero Rodriguez, 22, in connection with these allegations.
According to the sheriff’s office, one allegedly offered money to a person posing as a child’s guardian, while the other allegedly offered marijuana.
The defendants faced human trafficking-related accusations arising from those reported exchanges.
These cases illustrate why investigators separated the child-predator investigation from the broader prostitution-related arrests.
They also demonstrate that the legal charges varied considerably among the people arrested.
Eleven Possible Human Trafficking Victims Identified
Beyond the arrest totals, authorities said 11 people were identified as possible human trafficking victims.
This was one of the most important outcomes announced during the news conference.
People experiencing trafficking may face threats, financial control, manipulation, violence, or other forms of coercion.
Leaving an exploitative situation can be difficult, particularly when a person lacks safe housing or financial resources.
Partner organizations helped screen people encountered during the operation and offered assistance.
One More Child, a Florida-based organization involved in anti-trafficking work, said its representatives spoke with 93 people.
The organization reported that 18 individuals had agreed to receive services at the time of the announcement.
Those figures describe different groups and should not be added together as a total number of confirmed trafficking victims.
What Agencies Participated?
Operation Polk Around & Find Out II involved a large partnership of local, state, and federal authorities.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation.
Participating agencies and partners included law enforcement departments and sheriff’s offices from surrounding communities, along with:
- Florida Attorney General’s Office
- Office of Statewide Prosecution
- State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit
- U.S. Secret Service
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division
- Florida Department of Children and Families
- One More Child
Other regional police and sheriff’s departments also contributed personnel or investigative support.
The coordinated effort allowed investigators to conduct multiple undercover operations while handling arrests, evidence, victim screening, and follow-up investigations.
Where Did the Suspects Come From?
Authorities said only 40 of the 281 people arrested lived in Polk County.
The remaining suspects came from other parts of Florida and locations outside the county.
Investigators reported connections to 20 other U.S. states and 18 countries.
Officials also said 32 arrested individuals were in the United States without lawful immigration status.
At the time of the announcement, 16 had been transferred to federal immigration authorities.
Immigration status is separate from the criminal allegations and does not determine whether someone committed a trafficking or child exploitation offense.
What Evidence Did Investigators Report?
According to authorities, investigators collected evidence including online communications, records of arranged meetings, and items recovered when suspects arrived at undercover locations.
Officials also reported that:
- Suspects brought 24 firearms to the operation.
- Thirty-two people faced drug possession charges.
- Nine arrested individuals were on probation.
- Nine had been arrested in earlier sheriff’s office sting operations.
Some of the drugs mentioned in the investigation included methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.
The existence of firearms, drugs, or prior charges did not mean every suspect was accused of those offenses.
Each case involves its own evidence and specific criminal allegations.
What Happens to the 281 People Arrested?
An arrest is the beginning of a criminal case, not a conviction.
Following an arrest, prosecutors review the available evidence and determine which charges to pursue.
Defendants may appear in court for initial hearings, bond decisions, and later proceedings.
Some cases may result in plea agreements, dismissals, or trials.
The outcomes will depend on the evidence, applicable laws, and individual circumstances.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said prosecutors intended to seek significant penalties in appropriate cases.
Under Florida law, traveling to meet a minor for unlawful sexual activity can be charged as a second-degree felony carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years.
However, not all 281 people face that charge.
Many were arrested for prostitution-related offenses, which can involve different penalties.
Were Children Actually Rescued During the Sting?
Authorities described the child-predator portion of the operation as an undercover investigation in which detectives posed as minors or guardians.
That means the announced arrests were generally based on communications with undercover officers and suspects allegedly traveling to arranged meetings.
It would be inaccurate to assume that 31 or 32 actual children were physically rescued during those encounters.
Separately, authorities identified 11 possible human trafficking victims and offered support services.
Those are different outcomes and should not be confused.
Did the Crimes Happen Inside Disney World?
No evidence presented in the October 30 announcement establishes that the undercover encounters took place inside Walt Disney World.
The operation was conducted in Polk County and involved people from numerous professions and locations.
Disney and Universal became part of the story because some suspects worked for those companies.
That distinction is important for families planning a visit to Orlando’s theme parks.
The arrests are serious, but the investigation does not establish that guests were targeted inside the parks during this operation.
Why Do Police Conduct These Undercover Investigations?
Law enforcement agencies use undercover operations to identify people suspected of attempting crimes that can be difficult to detect through ordinary patrols.
Online communications allow investigators to document what suspects say and what steps they allegedly take.
Arranged meetings may provide additional evidence about whether someone intended to follow through on an illegal plan.
In prostitution and trafficking investigations, undercover work can also reveal people who may be experiencing coercion or exploitation.
However, the legal strength of each case depends on the evidence collected and whether investigators followed applicable laws.
Courts may examine questions involving intent, identification, entrapment defenses, and the admissibility of evidence.
How Parents Can Help Protect Children Online
The investigation has also renewed attention on online safety.
Parents and caregivers can take practical steps to reduce risks.
Talk openly about online interactions. Children should understand that people online may not be who they claim to be.
Keep communication judgment-free. A child who receives an uncomfortable message should feel safe telling a trusted adult.
Review privacy settings together. Limiting who can contact a child may reduce unwanted interactions.
Discuss requests for secrecy. Adults who ask children to hide conversations, send private images, or meet secretly are serious warning signs.
Report suspicious activity. Parents can report suspected online child exploitation to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.
Online safety is not just about monitoring devices. It also involves building trust so children know where to turn when something feels wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What was the Disney park sting operation called?
A. The investigation was called Operation Polk Around & Find Out II. It was led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and involved multiple partner agencies.
Q. How many people were arrested?
A. Authorities announced 281 arrests and 488 new criminal charges.
Q. How many Disney employees were arrested?
A. Sheriff Grady Judd reported that 13 people linked to Disney and four linked to Universal were among those arrested.
Q. Were all 17 theme park workers accused of child sex crimes?
A. No. Authorities said seven theme park-linked suspects were part of the child-predator investigation. Others were arrested in connection with different alleged offenses.
Q. Was a former Mickey Mouse performer arrested?
A. Yes. Investigators identified a former Disney character performer among those arrested and accused him of attempting to arrange unlawful sexual activity involving a minor.
Q. Did Disney fire the arrested employees?
A. Sheriff Judd said Disney terminated employees arrested in the operation. Universal also reportedly terminated affected workers.
Q. Were human trafficking victims identified?
A. Authorities said 11 possible trafficking victims were identified and offered assistance.
Q. Did the operation take place inside Disney World?
A. No. The announced operation was a broader Polk County investigation. The connection to Disney came from suspects’ employment histories.
Q. When were the results announced?
A. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Attorney General’s Office announced the results on October 30, 2026.
Q. Have the suspects been convicted?
A. An arrest does not establish guilt. The criminal allegations must be resolved through the courts.
Final Thoughts
Operation Polk Around & Find Out II was one of the largest undercover investigations ever announced by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Over seven days, investigators arrested 281 people, filed hundreds of charges, and identified 11 possible trafficking victims.
The involvement of Disney and Universal workers brought national attention to the investigation, but the operation extended far beyond the theme park industry.
The cases also involved a youth coach, a law enforcement officer, and individuals from multiple states and countries.
For families, the investigation is a reminder of the importance of online safety and knowing who interacts with children.
For the people identified as possible trafficking victims, access to meaningful support may be as important as the criminal prosecutions.
And for the 281 people arrested, the next stage will unfold in court, where prosecutors must prove the allegations against each defendant.
The operation has ended, but the criminal cases—and the broader questions about protecting children and preventing exploitation—are far from over.
Sources and Further Reading
- The Ledger: Polk sheriff says 281 arrested in prostitution and predator sting
- WWSB: 281 arrested in seven-day Polk County undercover operation
- ClickOrlando: Sheriff announces results of Polk County operation
- NBC 6 South Florida: Undercover operation results
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